Ruth Hayes Short is beginning her 33rd year as an educational administrator, serving in a variety of capacities including special education administrator, principal, and professional development director. Currently she is working in a half time capacity, maintaining some of her professional development duties and providing support to an elementary school in the Shoreline School District. She is also an adjunct instructor in the graduate program at Seattle Pacific University. Prior to her five years in Shoreline, she fulfilled administrative roles in the Lake Washington School District spending the majority of years as an elementary school principal. In this capacity she was awarded a Distinguished Principal award from the East King County region of the Association of Washington School Principals, as well as the Award for Professional Excellence from Western Washington University. Before becoming an administrator, she was a high school teacher and a school psychologist. Ruth received her administrative credentials from Seattle University and Seattle Pacific University, her Master of Arts degree from Wayne State University in Michigan, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.